Mail-box.



A. T. SMITYH.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I. 1918.

1,295,624. Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

ARTHUR '1. SMITH, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

Application filed April 1, 1918. Serial No. 226,026.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, ARTHUR T. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in mail boxes.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved mail box adapted as well to hold articles or packages of a size or shape preventing their being placed within the box. k

Second. to provide an improved mail box having these advantages which is simple and compact in structure, convenient to use, and neat and attractive in appearance.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a front perspective view of my improved mail box.

Fig. II is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a detail side elevation showing my improved mail box mounted upon a support and an article or package engaged by the article holder.

Fig. IV is a similar detail side elevation showing another form of article or package engaged by the article holder.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the support, such as a post or the side of a house. The box 2 is of suitable size and its front wall is preferably forwardly inclined, as shown.

The rear wall 3 of the box has a hole 4 adapted to receive an attaching screw or the like for securing it to the post or support 1. The box is open at the top and provided with a cover 5. The cover is hinged at e to the upper edge of the rear wall. The" cover overhangs the side walls so that it may be readily engaged from the front or either side by the postman to lift it for the insertion of mail.

A card holder 7 is preferably provided.

Upon the cover I mount a plate-like ar ticle holder 8 having knuckles 9 formed in its front edge to IBCGlXG the pintle 10 carried by the knuckles 11 on the cover.

A coiled spring 12 is arranged on the pintle between the knuckles 11 to engage the holder member 8 and urge it against the cover when free or against an article, as 13 and 14,--see Figs. III and IV. The upper edge of the holder member is preferably turned up at 15 to provide a finger hold. At its forward edge the holder member is provided with extensions 16 constituting stops limiting the opening or forward movement of the holder member.

When closed the holder member lies fiat against the cover so that it does not interfere with the cover being swung open and does not materially detract from the appearance of the box. When, however, it is desired to retain an article such as the card 13,see Fig III, which is of such dimensions as to prevent its being inserted in the box, the holder member is raised and the article to be held dropped behind the holder member, which clamps thereon holding it securely. The holder member is also adapted for holding larger articles such as the package 14, which is clamped between the holder member and the support. To release the articles or packages it is merely necessary to pull them out and the holder swings or closes down against the cover.

My improved mail box is of great advantage in that it effects a very material saving in postmens time as the articles may be quickly engaged and are also securely retained against accidental displacement and loss or damage.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a support, of a mail box open at the top mounted on said support, a forwardly inclined cover hinged at its rear edge so that in opening it swings toward the support, a plate-like holder member pivoted on said cover to close against the same and having a forwardly projecting extension on its pivoted edge constituting: a stop limiting its opening move ment, the upper edge of said holder member being curved upwardly providing a fingerhold, and a coiled spring arranged on the pintle of said holder member normally holding such member in its closed position and adapted to urge it against an article arranged on the cover at the rear thereof.

2. The combination of a box open at the top, a cover hinged to the upper edge of the rear Wall of the box, a plate-like holder member pivoted on said cover to lie thereon When closed and not interfere with the opening of the cover and having a forwardly projecting extension on its pivoted edge constituting a stop limiting its opening movement the upper edge of said holder member being curved upwardly providing a fingerhold, and a coiled sprin arranged on the pintle of said holder mem er normally holding such member in its closed position and adapted to urge it against an article arranged on the cover at the rear thereof.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

ARTHUR '1. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

